Category: Review Sunday

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Kelly’s (arc) review of The Taming of a Scottish Princess by Karen Hawkins

The Taming of a Scottish Princess
AUTHOR: Karen Hawkins
PUBLICATION DATE:   05/22/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:

A DETERMINED EXPLORER

When famed Egyptologist Michael Hurst discovers that the infamous Hurst Amulet is hidden in Scotland, he insists his trusted assistant, Miss Jane Smythe-Haughton, accompany him north. Strangely, the usually unflappable Jane seems perturbed by their destination—the mysterious Isle of Barra. A fascinated Michael watches as his staid assistant transforms, revealing intriguing layers of mystery and vulnerability. Could he be about to uncover not one, but two, precious treasures?

A DAUNTLESS PRINCESS

Once her clan’s princess, Jane fled Barra years ago to avoid a forced marriage. Since then, she has made her living as efficient Miss Smythe-Haughton—the perfect (and highly paid) assistant. Now she must confront her secrets . . . including her feelings for her irascible employer, too-handsome-for-his-own-good Michael Hurst.

A PERILOUS PLEASURE

Others are also searching for the missing amulet, however. Can Jane and Michael learn to trust each other in time to solve two riddles: the location of the Hurst Amulet, and the meaning of the vivid passion flaring between them?



REVIEWED BY: Kelly            
NUMBER OF STARS: 4 Stars

REVIEW:
This was my first Karen Hawkins book.  I have to say I really enjoyed this book.  The Taming of a Scottish Princess started out a little slow and Michael came off as a pompous ass, but as the story goes on I grew to love Michael’s character.  Michael may still be single minded but by the end of the book what he has his mind set on has changed.  He finally learns what is truly important to him.  
Jane. 


While you might think she a mouse type of character you would be very wrong.  Jane is a very strong, determined and can put her boss in his place any time kind of girl.  But when their latest adventure takes them back to Jane’s birth place, her future will forever be changed.

Michael & Jane were a fun, witty and determined couple to read about.  I loved their batter.  The sassy mouths that both have. The name calling, oh the name calling.  But their adventure to a small island in Scotland will make them realize that the ultimate treasure has been in front of them the whole time.

If you are a fan of Karen Hawkins’ books you will enjoy The Taming of a Scottish Princess.  If you are new to Karen, I believe you will enjoy the adventure and trouble the Michael and Jane get them self into.

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Kelly’s review of Black Magic by JD Tyler

Black Magic
#1.5 Alpha Pack series
AUTHOR: JD Tyler
PUBLICATION DATE:   03/06/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N


BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A terrible storm is coming, and Alpha Pack’s newest man will face not only a battle within himself, but a war on the horizon that could end them all…

Sorcerer/Necromancer/black panther shifter Kalen Black and Dr. Mackenzie Grant battle a lethal enemy and come together in an explosion of passion. One night will set in motion dire consequences not only for the couple, but for the entire Pack…

This novella is the beginning of Kalen and Mackenzie’s story, to be concluded in December 2012 with their full-length book, BLACK MOON.


REVIEWED BY: Kelly         NUMBER OF STARS: 5 Stars

REVIEW:
I was so excited for this novella.  It seems so long ago that I opened Primal Law and fell in love with JD Tyler and the Alpha Pack.  In Primal Law we got to met the very dark and disturbing Kalen Black.  From the moment we meet Kalen I was totally interest in his story.  Where did he come from, was he good or evil, how did he have the power to shift into a black panther (which is my favorite type of shifter)  What role is he going to play within the Alpha Pack.

Black Magic gives us a little sample of who Kalen really might be.  I say “might be” because the guys has been through so much in his life and it seems he has a heck of a battle coming his way.  But we do get to see a much softer side of Kalen, when he is with Mackenzie.  With Mackenzie he opens up and shares thing he would never share with anyone else.

JD Tyler, I love and hate you right now. Love Kalen & Mackenzie together. But darn you for writing this novella and leave me hanging at the end…… I am not a very patient person and now I have to wait for the follow up story  Black Moon to see what happens to Kalen & Mackenzie.  

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Kelly’s review of Alexander Outland: Space Pirate by GJ Koch

Alexander Outland: Space Pirate
AUTHOR: GJ Koch
PUBLICATION DATE:   6/5/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:

Captain Alexander Outland of the Sixty-Nine (short for Space Vessel 3369, of course) is the best pilot in the galaxy. He’s also a pirate, a smuggler, and loved and loathed by women in umpteen solar systems. His crew of strays and misfits includes an engineer of dubious sanity, a deposed planetary governor, an annoyingly unflappable Sexbot copilot, and a slinky weapons chief who stubbornly refuses to give the captain a tumble.

Outland just wants to make a decent living skirting the law, but when an invisible space armada starts cutting into his business, he soon finds himself in hot water with the military, the mob, mad bombers, and an extended family of would-be conquerors. And that’s not counting an occasionally telepathic spy . . . .

Like any sensible scoundrel, he hates heroics. They’re risky and they don’t pay well. But to keep his ship and crew in one piece, and make time with a certain hard-to-get weapons chief, he might just have to make an exception–and save the galaxy in spite of himself!

REVIEWED BY: Kelly            
4 1/2 Stars

REVIEW:

OMG!!! I loved this story!!!  I am so in love with Alexander Napoleon Outland aka Nap, or as he likes to call himself ‘The Outland’.  Nap is to die for funny, witty, sexy and an all around good guy.  There is no other captain I would want driving my pirate ship.

Alexander Outland: Space Pirate takes us on a wild journey.  Nap is the leader of a pirate ship, well pirate spaceship that is, that finds themself in the middle of a plot to take over the universe.
And for some reason everyone is aiming for them.  Just when they think they know what and who their enemy is after they learn that they are wrong.  It will take every trick in Nap’s book and a little luck for Nap to keep his crew safe, save the universe and hope to win the hand of his lady love.  
Along the way Nap finds himself new crew members, new allies, a few new enemies and in more then one very stinky situation .

Huge thank you to GJ Koch, for letting me read Nap’s book.  I am totally in love with him.  I am really excited to see what is next for Nap and the Sixty-Nine team.

If you are a fan of sci-fi you really need to order a copy of Alexander Outland: Space Pirate.  If you are new to sci-fi you should check out Nap’s book.  It is a fun, witty, twisty and turny read.  

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Kimberly’s review of Supernaturally Kissed by Stacey Kennedy

Supernaturally Kissed
Book 1 Frostbite Series
AUTHOR: Stacey Kennedy
PUBLICATION DATE:   01/05/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N


BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Ghosts harass and annoy Tess to save their souls. Sometimes she helps them. Other times she ignores them. But one ghost will give her no choice. Kipp, a former cop with the Memphis Police Department, will stop at nothing to gain her help, including using his ghostly charms to seduce her.

Tess must help solve the five-year-old cold case of Hannah Reid’s disappearance, because solving the case will save Kipp. But a bigger problem presents itself. Tess is falling in love with a ghost. Now she must decide. Keep Kipp forever, or find the killer.

REVIEWED BY: Kimberly            
4 Stars

REVIEW:
If you liked the show “Ghost Whisperer” then you will love this book. Imagine if you watched the “Ghost Whisperer” and she fell for one of her ghosts and together they went out and solved crimes. Well if you can imagine that then pick up this book because you will really enjoy it.

Tess can see ghost and reluctantly helps them to cross over and has never let one of them become more than a project. That is until Kipp needs her help. This book had me laughing by page 15 and choked up towards the end. Kipp is written with a great sense of humor and Tess has a snide attitude you have to love. But when they think that if they solve the crime then it will be time for Kipp to cross-over the story takes an emotional turn. The book is written in the first person which is not common (at least not the books I read) so it takes some getting used to but it is worth it. There is a second book in the series and I hope the background characters from this book are present in the second because the “bro-mance” of Kipp and Zach is just so enjoyable.

If you like books where the ghost is part of the couple (and not a secondary character) then you should pick up this book and enjoy.

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Kimberly’s review of Demonically Tempted by Stacey Kennedy

Demonically Tempted
Frostbite #2
AUTHOR: Stacey Kennedy
PUBLICATION DATE:   04/13/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon


BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Tess Jennings, now a member of the Memphis Police Department, is on her first cold case. The suspected suicide of Lizbeth Knapp ten years ago isn’t a theory her family accepts—they believe she was murdered.

But the case is only one of Tess’s worries. Ghosts are talking, and word of her abilities rapidly spreads. A dark ghost is terrifying the spirits of Memphis, and she must force the entity to cross over.

Tess doesn’t have to do this alone. Not only does she have her ghost-lover, Kipp McGowen, but the department has brought in a medium. Dane Wolfe might answer all her questions, but he also brings a world of trouble. Will Tess finally have all she’s ever wanted, or will everything she’s vowed to protect be ripped away?
REVIEWED BY: Kimberly           

4 Stars

REVIEW:
“Ghost Whisperer” meets “Cold Case” meets “Supernatural” is the best way to describe this book.

We first met Tess and most of the others in Supernaturally Kissed (Frostbite #1). However Tess is now officially with the police department to work on cold case files, the department hopes that she can talk to the ghost to find out what happened to them. On this case her boss brought in Dane, who works with the FBI, to help her understand and master her gift. There is a demon hurting ghost in the area and the ghost are scared and they need Tess to help them.

Once again this is written in the first person which feels more like you are hearing a story but once you are into the book it becomes easier to read. This book has a bit of everything. Ghost, demons, mediums, witches, etc. The ending was unexpected and explains a lot with Kipp. I hope in the third book (due out in the fall of 2012) we will have a better idea of what is going on with Kipp and I can not wait to see how that is solved.

I think Kennedy has really become an author that fans of paranormal will enjoy.
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Kelly’s review of A Blood Seduction by Pamela Palmer

A Blood Seduction 
Vamp City #1AUTHOR: Pamela Palmer
PUBLICATION DATE:   05/29/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N


BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Vampires live only for lust and pleasure in the eternal twilight of Vamp City. But the city’s magic is dying. The only person who can restore it? A beautiful woman from the mortal world…one who knows nothing of the power she wields.

Quinn Lennox is searching for a missing friend when she stumbles into a dark otherworld that only she can see—and finds herself at the mercy of Arturo Mazza, a dangerously handsome vampire whose wicked kiss will save her, enslave her, bewitch her, and betray her.

What Arturo can’t do is forget about her—any more than Quinn can control her own feelings for him. Neither one can let desire get in the way of their mission—his to save his people, hers to save herself.

But there is no escape from desire in a city built for seduction, where passion flows hot and blood-red. Welcome to Vamp City…



REVIEWED BY: Kelly             
3 Stars

REVIEW:
hhhmmm, where to start with this review.  I have very mixed feelings about this book.   I didn’t love this book, I didn’t hate this book, I am not sure if I like or not.  I really really really wanted to like this book.  I like the idea behind this book.  But didn’t really connect with the characters.

I really wanted to like Arturo (our hero? I am not sure I would call him that), but is he is a rat, a snake, a really dirt bag, I could go ON and ON about his dirt bagness, but I won’t.  I kept hoping through the whole book he would change, but no he was a dirt bag right up to the end.  

Quinn, oh what can I say about Quinn our heroine in this book.  Her loyalty to her brother is great.  She can take a punch like no one’s business, but damn that girl for trusting such a self serving vampire.   

There were moments in this book that made me like these two, but for the most part I struggled with them.

I am hoping that as this series goes on the books get better.  A Blood Seduction was a little rough for me.  And let me tell you there truly is no such thing as a good vampire in Vamp City.  
So if you are looking for a happily ever after story this is not for you.  If you are looking for a vampire story were ALL the vamp’s are bad then you need to get a copy of A Blood Seduction.

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Kimberly’s review of Hadyn Heat by Betty Midnight

Hadyn Heat (One) – The Urge
AUTHOR: Betty Midnight
PUBLICATION DATE:   02/10/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon


BOOK SYNOPSIS:
As a man and as a wolf, Hadyn has been trying to control his urges.
After catching the scent of a beautiful woman named Sarah, Hadyn finds her and loses all control of his urges.
The pleasure was great, but the mistake was greater, for an evil man has been lurking for a long time, hoping to take control of the world. After kidnapping Sarah, the destructive man named Valon now can finalize his own plan: to have Hadyn mate with his daughter.
He uses Sarah and her lust for Hadyn to draw him in.
The urges grow worse for Hadyn and it seems nobody can stop him, not even his roommate and secret lover, another male wolf named Taylor.

The fate of Hadyn, Sarah, his pack, and the world are in the balance… but can he control his desperate sexual urges long enough to save it all?
REVIEWED BY: Kimberly          
3 Stars

REVIEW:
If you like erotica then you will enjoy this book. I would say that almost every character in this book has sex in some form or another and sometimes more than once. The storyline is somewhat lacking until the end when it starts to pick up. The beginning half is really nothing more than sexual escapades. However that being said it is a good book. The last half begins to tell the story of why Valon wants to force Haydn to mate with his daughter and leaves you with a cliffhanger. This is the 1st in what will apparently be a 4 book series. It is only about 90 pages so it is a short read. If you do not erotica then bypass this book but if you  like erotica and paranormal this will be perfect for you!

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Kelly’s (arc) review of Rough Ride by Keri Ford

Rough Ride
Roughnecks #1
AUTHOR: Keri Ford
PUBLICATION DATE:   05/06/12

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
You do for family, no matter what. Lane Iverson knows that better than anyone. Harboring a secret about his mother’s death, Lane is counting the days until he finishes helping his brothers with some work and can head back to his hiding hole hours away. As long as he doesn’t have to face his three brothers every day, the guilt is easier to carry.

There is only one thing that can risk his plan. All of five foot tall, with these deep eyes and a voice that shudders through him. The completely addicting, Gretchen Jones. She’s been watching him the entire time he’s been in town. With courage from her friends behind her, she confronts what she wants. To her surprise, that’s the easy part. Keeping her heart protected when she knows he’ll be leaving? Not so easy, but her only choice.

REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kelly             
4 ½  Stars

REVIEW:
Rough Ride is book 1 in Keri Ford’s new series The Roughnecks and takes us back to the quiet little town of Apple Trail.   The Roughneck series is a spin off of Keri’s Apple Trail series which I LOVED!!!  If you haven’t read the Apple Trail series find more about it here http://keriford.com/books/uninhibited-in-apple-trail-arkansas/.  Okay back to Lane…

Lane is one tough cookie.  He loves his brothers more than anything, but being so close to them is tough.  Lane has been keep a secret from his brothers.  A secret that may just tear his family apart once and for all.  Lane wants to help his family, but the minute they are done he is going to cut and run.   The one thing he didn’t factor in was Gretchen.  Gretchen, may be the very best thing he will never deserve.

Gretchen knows that Lane is only here temporarily.  And she is not a temporary type of girl.  She is a forever girl.  But her forever was taken from her.  With the encouragement of her best friends, Gretchen takes a leap of faith that maybe, just maybe she can have just a fling with Lane.  But what will she do when it is time for him to leave?

I loved this book.  Lane is tough, complicated, full of guilt, and a stubborn pain in the ass.  But in the end he has to learn that sometimes you have to fall before you can get up and live.  Gretchen is very strong, even when the chips are down she is a trooper.  But she never will let a man walk all over her.   Lane & Gretchen are a great couple to read about.  I look forward to seeing them in

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Kimberly’s review of Improper Relations by Juliana Ross

Improper Relations
AUTHOR: Juliana Ross
PUBLICATION DATE:   04/23/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N


BOOK SYNOPSIS:
When Hannah’s caught watching her late husband’s cousin debauch the maid in the library, she’s mortified — but also intrigued. An unpaid companion to his aunt, she’s used to being ignored.

The black sheep of the family, Leo has nothing but his good looks and noble birth to recommend him. Hannah ought to be appalled at what she’s witnessed, but there’s something about Leo that draws her to him.

When Leo claims he can prove that women can feel desire as passionately as men, Hannah is incredulous. Her own experiences have been uninspiring. Yet she can’t bring herself to refuse his audacious proposal when he offers to tutor her in the art of lovemaking. As the tantalizing, wicked lessons continue, she begins to fear she’s losing not just her inhibitions, but her heart as well. The poorest of relations, she has nothing to offer Leo but herself. Will it be enough when their erotic education ends?
REVIEWED BY: Kimberly Wise            
NUMBER OF STARS: 3 Stars

REVIEW:
Hannah happens to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, or is it? When she sees her cousin-by-marriage having sex with one of the maids she finds herself curious. She never knew sex could be like what she is watching. As a widow she has had little experience, and those experiences were lacking to say the least, so when Leo offers to show her that sex is enjoyable for both people involved she can not do anything but offer her body to the experience.

This is a short story (about 70 pages) set in a historical time period when stations mattered and a proper gentleman should not consort with a ladies companion. Hannah is naive beyond belief. I am really not sure anyone could be so naive about their own body but Hannah is written to be. Leo is an enjoyable character. He is written as if he is showing Hannah how to paint, “now put that there and this here”, but somehow it works. It is an interesting story and well written for a first book. The ending was written more on the romance side than the erotica side, which the beginning of the book felt more like erotica. The book is a nice short story. It will only take an hour or so to read and it is well worth that time.

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Kelly’s review of The Fake Boyfriend Experiment by Stephanie Rowe

The Fake Boyfriend Experiment
AUTHOR: Stephanie Rowe
PUBLICATION DATE:   
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Rafe Turner has a tattoo running from his wrist to his shoulder. His hair is a little too long. He doesn’t need to rebel, because owning his life is already in his blood. He’s way out of her league, for sure, but when Lily Gardner accidentally face plants through the window of his band’s practice room, a connection is formed between Rafe and Lily that can’t be shaken. When Rafe invites her to jam with his band, Lily knows the mega-talented drummer is exactly what she needs to fix her life. The fact that Rafe already has a girlfriend? No problem. It’ll be enough if people simply think she’s dating him…won’t it? Lily is about to discover that finding her passion is a whole lot more complicated than a fake boyfriend…or two.


REVIEWED BY: Kelly             
4 Stars

REVIEW:
I really enjoyed this young adult book.  I love how this book pulled me back to my high school years (which was a VERY long time ago). It was fun for me to read how one young girl deals with the stress her parents put on her to be the best.  The pressure she feels from her instructors to be the best.  The pressure of not fitting in with her life long friends, boys and will just about everyone around her.  

Lily is a great character. She is a typical teenage girl. Just wanting to fit in, but fitting in is has not been easy for Lily.  Her friends think of her as a geek.   Boy’s think she is weird.  Her parents just don’t understand.  But Lily is a very strong, capable, determined girl.  When Lily finds herself in a web of lies she has spun herself she finds out who her real friends are.  But only after getting her heart broke.

Rafe has been dealt a bad hand, his parents are divorcing, he is living with his aunt and he is having issues with his girlfriend. The only bright spot in his life is that his aunt is allowing him to have band practice at her house.  Without music Rafe would have nothing.   

Reading about Lily and Rafe really took me back.. I loved to watch young love bloom on the pages of The Fake Boyfriend Experiment.  

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Kimberly’s review of SEAL of my Dreams

SEAL of My Dreams
AUTHOR: Anthology
PUBLICATION DATE:   11/11/11
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N


BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Honor, duty, courage, passion . . . the men of the Navy SEALs are a special breed of hero, and in these novellas by eighteen top romance authors the SEALs are celebrated not only as symbols of devoted service to their country but as the kind of men every woman wants to love. They’ll rescue a damsel in distress and her lap dog, too. They’ll battle hometown dramas and international bad guys. When it comes to giving away their hearts, they’ll risk everything.

All proceeds from sales of SEAL of My Dreams go to the Veterans Research Corporation, a non-profit fundraiser for veterans’ medical research.

Between them, the authors of SEAL of My Dreams have won dozens of writing awards including multiple RITAs from Romance Writers of America. Their nearly 600 published novels have sold at least 35 million copies worldwide. The SEAL of My Dreams roster includes many of the best-known authors in modern romance fiction. In addition, many have strong family connections to the servicemen and women of our nation’s military, and many specialize in novels featuring heroes and heroines from all branches of service.
REVIEWED BY: Kimberly           
4 Stars

REVIEW:
SEAL Of My Dreams by Stephanie Bond actually includes 18 stories by some well known authors including Bond, Jami Alden, Kylie Brant, Helen Brenna, HelenKay Dimon, Cindy Gerard, Tara Jenzen, Leslie Kelly, Elle Kennedy, Alison Kent, Jo Leigh, Gennita Low, Marliss Melton, Christie Ridgway, Barbara Samuel, Roxanne St. Claire, Stephanie Tyler and Loreth Anne White.

All of these stories main characters are SEALS but in all honesty most could be any military.  Of course some stories are better than others and some are worse but they are all really good stories. I love anthologies because it is an excellent way to be introduced to new authors. Another great thing about anthologies is they are not a continuing story so it is something that would be great to download and have available to read at anytime. And this one is highly recommended to have on hand because who doesn’t love a SEAL?

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Kelly’s review of Dark Marcy by Zoe Winters

Dark Mercy
AUTHOR: Zoe Winters
PUBLICATION DATE:   03/02/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Angeline has been on the run from her sire, Linus, for centuries. She’s tired, and she’s lonely. High from mescaline-induced blood, she sees a sign—a church that seems to glow in the distance—and she knows. Her future mate is in that building.


Important Author’s Note:

Dark Mercy is the beginning of Hadrian and Angeline’s story, not the end. Their HEA will happen later in their own full-length novel. This story is important both for the overall series and for this couple, but it’s not their HEA. Just a mild disclaimer so no one goes in with false expectations for this story.


REVIEWED BY: Kelly            
5 Stars

REVIEW:
I won’t give you too much because this was a novella.  A very short insight into Angeline & Hadrian’s story.  

Zoe sucked me into this novella and then totally killed me with the ending.  MAJOR CLIFF hanger.  I loved learning about Angeline & Hadrian.  Both are very damaged in very different ways and in all ways perfect for eachother.  But now I have to patiently wait for the answers to all my questions.